In non-radar environments, the pilot must fly an instrument approach legally, safely and efficiently without the assistance, or protection, that an air-traffic controller provides. See if you’re up to the challenge of managing all the details and decisions without a helpful eye of ATC.
You’re flying your family to Orlando, Florida so your daughter can fulfill her lifelong dream and “swim with the dolphins” at SeaWorld. Weather delays have created an urgent departure to make it there for your reserved time. Then a surprise puts your family in a potentially dangerous situation.
A departure from a non-towered airport into a non-radar environment at an hour when you should still be in bed, is a tough challenge for anyone. The scenario is based on a real, fatal accident and could have easily been prevented. Don’t miss the roundtable discussion for added insights.
Things can go from “ops-normal” to big trouble in a heartbeat any day, but there’s an increased risk of something turning up when an aircraft has just come out of maintenance. Think your way through this difficult situation, which hits you unexpectedly during what should be a simple, 20-minute flight.
Helping a VFR-only pilot get his airplane home airport should be piece of cake. It’s a short trip in reasonable weather in a well-equipped airplane. All goes as planned until you run into unexpected conditions shortly after departure. Suddenly, a safe outcome to this flight is in question.
A short flight home from Nantucket Island off Massachusetts with your wife and two friends is uneventful until the final stages. You’ll face night IFR, a potential circle-to-land approach, and multiple heading changes from ATC. See how well you do making sound decisions under pressure.
GPS has proven to be extremely reliable. They are now a backbone of IFR flight. However, GPS units and satellite transmissions can and do fail. Even a partial loss of your GPS unit can have a significant impact. Experience first-hand how a failure will impact a typical IFR flight.
Medical emergencies are always a source of concern in aviation, but they take on added significance in IMC. How will you get a sick passenger on the ground quickly? No matter what you choose, I’ll require an emergency instrument letdown, approach and landing under IFR.
How would you like to suddenly lose all radio communications in one of the busiest airspaces in the world — while in IMC? While the set-up for this lost comm is humorous, the lessons are deadly serious, and they offer a chance to review a life-saving procedure you might need one day.
After a long cross country trip, you are faced with the prospect of making an approach to minimums with deteriorating weather and strong turbulence. To make matters worse, you’re attempting the approach at night after a long day of flying. How will you make a rough day end well?
When lines of thunderstorms cross your path, you must evaluate several options and decide on the safest route around this severe weather. Depending on which option you choose, you may also be required to do some tactical, in-flight planning, which will only add to the challenge of getting to your destination.
Instrument flight plans don’t always arrive as filed. How quickly can you evaluate several options from ATC in the highly congested NY airspace, including how each one impacts your personal minimums and comfort level? IFR flying is all about managing risk and adapting to changing conditions.
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